Abstract
The objective of this study is to clarify the relations between the effective length and bracing stiffness of braced compression members subjected to linear varying axial force. Bracings are composed of from one to ten discrete bracings at the equal intervals or continuous bracing. The buckling equations are derived by using the Rayleigh-Ritz method, and the effective lengths of columns are calculated, taking the bracing stiffness ratio and axial load ratio as analytical parameters. After discussing the relations between the effective length and bracing stiffness, relations between discrete bracing and continuous one, the required stiffness to ensure some given effective lengths are presented.
